Christmas has come early at the Zoo in Dubbo with the birth of a Wapiti calf…could this be one of Santa's potential new recruits?

The Wapiti calf named Kamali by her keepers was born on Saturday 5 December 2009. A little shy at present and staying close by mum, the calf is a part of a baby boom at Taronga Western Plains Zoo which has over seen five other youngsters running around different exhibits.

The Wapiti, herd also known as Elk, are an interesting group of animals with the male Wapiti often being mistaken for one of Santa’s reindeer because of his impressive antlers.

Who knows if this young calf will be recruited by Santa in the future. Only time will tell.